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A Review of Everything Vanilla from Pure Integrity Soy Candles
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by Christina, added 12/8/08 Brand: Pure Integrity Soy Candles
Type: 10oz frosted jars
Fragrances: Vanilla, Caramel Vanilla, Vanilla Almond, Orange Vanilla & Vanilla Cappuccino Cost: $14.99 Scent Strength: Very well fragranced |
 Introduction to my "everything vanilla" review from Pure Integrity Soy Candles:
If you're familiar with Candlefind and reading our reviews, then you know Pure Integrity Candles are a favorite around here. And if you're not familiar with Candlefind or Pure Integrity Candles, then you'll soon figure out they are a favorite around here. It can't be helped.... these candles are wonderful, strong and always consistent. And if you aren't happy for whatever reason, this company stands by their products 100%. All you have to do is call or email them and they're on it with a money back guarantee that can't be beat. What consumer could ask for more than that?
Now I know no company can be totally perfect so if I were to name one thing that  bugged me about this company, it would be their scent list... it ain't big enough (for me anyway). I like beefy! I like big! I prefer a large selection so I may drool upon its glory and plot big orders. I've often asked PI why they don't expand their scent selection as fast as other companies and the answer is always the same... this is what Jeff Schumacher, owner of Pure Integrity told me verbatim.
"Most candle companies use standard stock fragrances, they are not custom made. Pure Integrity fragrances are different from most candle fragrances on the market in two unique ways. We develop our own fragrances using a "fragrance technology" that allows them to absorb better with soy wax, resulting in a better and stronger scent throw. Also, all our fragrances are developed in a much healthier manner, specifically eliminating phthalates (a family of chemicals used in most candles; currently the EPA lists 6 phthalates as carcinogens but they do not restrict their use).
So, because we have our fragrances custom made and test them extensively, it's more expensive to develop and test and therefore, the process takes longer."
I've often asked Pure Integrity why they don't carry certain scents I love that the majority of candle companies offer and now I know why. They will not back down from their commitment of offering the healthiest candle possible, even at the expense of their sales. And if you think about it, that is extremely admirable. I also learned while asking questions for this review that even though this company is growing by leaps and bounds, they still hand pour each and every one of their candles because they refuse to compromise with the quality of each candle sold. And this company has a factory... this is not a small mom & pop operation. That amazes me!!
I commend this company in many ways and will continue to purchase this brand for many years to come! For this review, I decided to do something different and am reviewing all of Pure Integrity's vanilla scents. Vanilla, Caramel Vanilla, Vanilla Almond, Orange Vanilla & Vanilla Cappuccino. That's alotta Vanilla going on around here! |
 What does my Pure Integrity Soy Candles look Like?
Pure Integrity candles are lovely and very simple, which I actually prefer. The jars are frosted with flat wood lids. No label graces any Pure Integrity candles except for the very bottom so it never detracts from the simplistic look of the candle. I just love the presentation of these candles. All Pure Integrity candles are double wicked (which I prefer) guaranteeing an even burn and normally, a much stronger scent throw. Double wicked candles tend to burn faster but I don't care. Even burns and scent throw are my main requirement and these have always fit the bill in every way.
The colors of all my candles were as follows... My Vanilla candle was cream in color, Caramel Vanilla was a light tan, Vanilla Almond a cream color, Orange Vanilla orange of course and Vanilla Cappuccino a tan color. Pretty straightforward colors to match the scents themselves. |
How did all my vanilla candles smell from Pure Integrity?
Vanilla
I've reviewed this scent before but figured since I'm doing a new review on all Pure Integrity's vanilla scents that have "vanilla" in it, I may as well throw this one in again. Oh man! I haven't burned this scent since the big vanilla review Carolyn and I did over a year ago and I forgot how much I love it!! I've also been on such a melt kick lately, I haven't been burning as many candles... lighting this candle up made me realize how much I miss that too.
Pure Integrity Candles are so lovely to watch burning... the frosted jars light up and glow so beautifully, day or night... it's a great line of candles for ambiance as well as strong fragrance. Here's the scent description for Vanilla:
"We have been told our vanilla candle is absolutely outstanding! Who can resist the warm, sweet smell of vanilla? A wonderfully enjoyable and relaxing scent. A favorite I return often to!"
Man is this candle strong. I lit this sucker up and not even 5 minutes from lighting it, I started to smell the aroma. Once it achieved a full melt pool, this candle scented the entire first floor of my house... not an easy task considering the size. To me, this is THE perfect and pure vanilla fragrance if you're after simplistic. It's smooth with not a hint of fakeness. It's not a vanilla extract nor does it have a cookie or cake smell. It's simply a creamy and rich vanilla that is timeless and a classic staple scent from Pure Integrity.
Vanilla Caramel
I had such high hopes and expectations of this scent before I even smelled it. Probably not the brightest thing to do since expectations are usually unfair... but, I've been craving caramel scents lately so I was really looking forward to this one. But,  before I go into what I thought of this scent, let me first tell you what I envisioned and was hoping for.... Lots of caramel.... sweet oooey-goooey sticky make a mess everywhere melt in your mouth buttery caramel with a hint of vanilla cream on top. THAT was my expectation. Dumb-dumb-dumb-dumb!!! Because the scent name didn't read "Ooey Gooey Caramel with a pinch of vanilla," it was simply Vanilla Caramel.
When I first popped open the lid to smell this candle and took that first whiff... I felt let down because I didn't get that sweet ooey gooey caramel smell I was hoping for. What did greet my nose however was a sweeter, creamier version of the PI vanilla scent I love so much. Here's the scent description from Pure Integrity Candles' website:
"A delightfully rich combination of warm vanilla and sweet caramel. This was one of our first candles we made and still one of my favorites to this day. My first choice when I have a little sweet craving. MMMMMMM it smells sooooo good!"
Nice description and once I got over my initial snit, I was able to finally start appreciating this scent for what it was... a sweeter and more bakery version of my favorite vanilla. I will say too, the vanilla is definitely the more pronounced scent over the caramel and if I were to make a wish upon a star, it would be to add a pinch or two more caramel to the mix. That would make it perfect for me.
In closing, if you love Pure Integrity's vanilla scent but with a sweeter twist, you would probably really dig this scent. It was good.
Vanilla Almond
Scent description for Vanilla Almond:
"Alluring creamy, vanilla beautifully combined with oven roasted almonds. Irresistibly wonderful!"
This was a weird scent for me... the first cold sniff didn't move me at all... I smelled a weird "twang" to it that I didn't like... which must have been the almond. Still, I never judge a candle by the cold sniff alone... I can't tell you how many times I've smelled a candle that I thought stunk and then absolutely loved it once it got going. Scent has a way of doing that... it either changes or it just grows on you after awhile. It's a  funny thing.
Unfortunately, this scent never grew on me and I burned the entire candle for 3 days straight. I sniffed it and sniffed it hoping it would render me speechless making me change my mind but it didn't. I know many Candlefind members who absolutely love this scent so I know it's popular, it just wasn't for me. I could smell that wonderful PI vanilla but the almond component just didn't grab me. I think I would have liked more sweetness or bakery notes in this scent and I didn't get that. It was just my lovely vanilla with a straight almond. So, Pure Integrity nailed the scent folks, it just wasn't one my nose personally cared for.
This candle was strong too... one candle filled my entire master bedroom and large adjoining bathroom with fragrance and the aroma even drifted into the hallway as well. And the strength wasn't a gag me strong... just a steady drum of fragrance throughout. It was nice.
In closing... I think if you like a nutty vanilla, no sweetness, no bakery, you may like this scent. It's strong and true to it's name.
Orange Vanilla
Oh man, this was a delightful scent and one I happily basked in from beginning to end! This was by far my favorite vanilla mix out of the three I just burned. Here's the  scent description from Pure Integritys' website:
"Tangy, sun kissed orange artfully combined with warm and sweet vanilla. A bright and wonderfully sweet and fruity choice."
I've always had a "love/hate" relationship with creamsicle scents in the past. I love the scent itself and always buy it when found but the hate component comes into play because they're usually so strong, they've been known to shove me out of my house. Not a good thing when you want to enjoy a scent, not gag and choke on it. I don't know what it is about this fragrance but the creamy part is usually so strong, it overwhelms everything else making it hurt to breathe air. So, when I try this scent from a new company, I'm always wary and hopeful at the same time (wary that it's going to gag me, hopeful that this is "the one" that doesn't).
Pure Integrity's version was utter perfection and not overpowering in the least. FINALLY I've found the creamsicle scent I'd been searching for! Both components were blended perfectly... I even thought the orange was the dominant scent which I loved... it was tart and vibrant... like a tangy orange smarties candy. Loved it and highly recommend this one!
Vanilla Cappuccino
I saved my favorite scent of the bunch for last. I love LOVE a good coffee scent but I'm picky. I prefer coffee blends rather than straight coffee fragrances which tend to be too strong for me. Blends are perfect... they're smooth with just the right touch of coffee to create that creamy/dreamy luscious aroma of starting a brand new day... and I always start each day with a fresh pot of java. Mmmm Mmmm!!! I consider myself a snob when it comes to coffee... I don't do Folgers or any coffee in a can (hence, the dubbing of snob). In general, I'm more of a Peet's, Starbucks or Seattle's Best kind of gal and prefer grinding my beans each morning (snob). A royal pain sometimes but to me, worth it in the end. Sorry, but you can't beat the smell or taste of  a freshly ground pot of coffee. And man is that aroma to die for and I love it even more when I pour that first cup with flavored creamer! Did I tell you I'm into flavored creamer too? Oh yeah, totally! Can't drink coffee without it... it's the perfect sweetener and adds the right amount of flavor. My favorites are Vanilla Nut or my latest is Vanilla Chai Spice, um, YUM!!!!! So when I purchase coffee scented candles, that's the scent I'm after.
I've tried pretty much every Pure Integrity candle that appeals to me so I don't know how this one slipped under the radar, but it did. This is my first time smelling this scent and man, it's goooooood!! When I first opened the lid of this candle to take that first all important whiff... I made quite a few appreciative noises... I liked, a lot! My first initial impression was a delicious creamy vanilla cappuccino, dead on accurate. The one aspect important to me is authenticity. Many coffee scents I've tried can smell synthetic or so strong, it becomes so overwhelming, you can't even enjoy the scent... not good! I instead want that bold coffee flavor with the perfect touch of cream and this scent delivered. Here is the scent description from Pure Integrity's website:
"Creamy vanilla artfully combined with gourmet coffee. A coffee lovers delight!"
I think they could have splurged a bit more on their scent description but that's okay, it's doable. This scent is the perfect touch of vanilla with coffee and it's very rich and dense but at the same time, not a strong fragrance. I don't know how they managed that either. I loved this scent so much, I wanted it super strong and overall, I found the strength of this candle to give a steady medium throw... not at all what I'm accustomed to with coffee flavored candles. So if I had a bone to pick, it would be that the scent wasn't nearly strong enough for me.
I do recommend Vanilla Cappuccino, highly in fact! And if you've been searching for a coffee scent but want something more subtle, this scent is for you. You notice the fragrance at all times but it's not overpowering. Two thumbs up and one I'll purchase many times over!!
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 How did all my Vanilla Candles from Pure Integrity burn?
Perfect and clean burns... no wasted wax. Just keep your wicks trimmed. |
Overall opinion of my "everything vanilla" experience from Pure Integrity Candles:
 I enjoyed all my vanilla candles but if I had to pick my favorites, It would definitely be their signature Vanilla, Orange Vanilla and Vanilla Cappuccino. Pure Integrity's Vanilla is just incredible, pure and perfect.... Orange Vanilla was delicious, a sweet and tart fragrance with the perfect blend of orange and vanilla, I highly recommend this one. Caramel Vanilla was good if you love a straight vanilla with a smidge of caramel and Vanilla Almond was super strong as well but to me, wasn't sweet enough so it didn't make my top list. Vanilla Cappuccino was my favorite of the bunch because it was rich and bold and very authentic. I couldn't help but take deep breaths of this fragrance the entire time I had it burning. I wish it could be stronger but we can't have everything and even so, this scent will be a favorite in my house this winter for sure.
Happy candle smelling!
~ Christina
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